Antti Nurmesniemi stools

This rare set of four stools, known as the ‘Sauna’ model, was designed by Finnish designer Antti Nurmesniemi in the 1950s and produced in Finland. Originally intended for use in sauna and bathing environments, these stools have become iconic examples of mid-century Finnish design, celebrated for their sculptural form, practicality, and efficient use of materials.

Each stool is constructed from laminated birch, featuring a circular horseshoe-shaped seat that displays concentric lamination lines accentuating the natural grain of the birch veneers. The open cutout in the seat serves both ergonomic and functional purposes—facilitating ease of movement and moisture runoff—while also defining the stool’s distinctive visual identity. The legs, made from solid birch, are dowelled directly into the laminated seat, demonstrating precise craftsmanship and structural clarity.

The design exemplifies Finnish modernism with its functional, tactile qualities and reliance on natural materials. Nurmesniemi’s work often embraced bentwood and lamination techniques, blending traditional Scandinavian craftsmanship with industrial production possibilities. Though known for a broad range of design work including collaborations with designers like Eero Aarnio, the ‘Sauna’ stool stands out as one of Nurmesniemi’s most enduring furniture designs.

Antti Nurmesniemi (1927–2003) was a leading Finnish designer whose career spanned furniture, interiors, and industrial design. His work is noted for its formal clarity, innovative material use, and adaptability.

Each stool measures 38 cm in width, 37 cm in depth, and 44 cm in height, with a seat height of 44 cm (approximately 15 x 14.6 x 17.3 inches). The stools are in very good vintage condition with minor signs of wear consistent with their age and use.